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Month: June 2013

The issue of violence and discrimination against women is today a topic of global concern. Much of what is portrayed in books, TV and the media focuses on stranger rape, not portraying the reality that women are often most unsafe in their very own homes.

This article below featured in the Times of India reports on research showing that more than half of all cases of homicide against women in India are carried out by their current or former partners. The research also makes a case for women being disproportionately vulnerable to murder and violence by an intimate partner. This shatters the myth that women are safest in their homes, in fact the home may well be on the the most dangerous places for them.

At the Equal Community Foundation (ECF) we run programmes in communities that give boys aged 13-17 years an opportunity to study and practice gender equitable behaviour. 7 of these young men from ECF’s Action for Equality Alumni Programme came up with a 2 minute film entitled ,’Is there any place in this country where a woman would feel safe?’ as part of Re:Imagine Learning Community’s summer camp for social entrepreneurs. The intention is that this film written, directed and edited by the boys themselves be screened for public awareness .This film hopes to be the first part of a tri-series advocacy campaign. It is only with these and other efforts to prevent violence and discrimination will we be able to make the home is the safest place place to be in, giving it in reality the romantic notion of our oasis.

Created by Mr. Surya Pratap and his team, Project Re:Imagine was an exciting 4 week programme on creativity, entrepreneurship and innovation for young people in the age-group of 10-8 years.

Seven young volunteer leaders from ECF communities all over Pune participated in this programme. The challenge that the group chose was to make a one-minute video to end violence and discrimination against women. The programme culminated on the 7th of June when all the other groups from Project Re:Imagine presented their ideas. Pradyumna, from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) acted as a great mentor to the boys.

The launch of this programme was on May 5, 2013 wherein the groups had to present their ideas to the parents and audience. Our boys were so confident and spontaneous in presenting their idea to the larger crowd, that they stole the limelight. The audience started looking for them and reaching out to them to know more about the boys and their work.

As part of the same project, the boys also attended a half day workshop on film making. The boys shared a very positive feedback about this workshop where they had the opportunity to learn the basics of film making and also to understand how interesting and challenging it is. Later, they were also invited for helping out in the real shoots carried out by the mentors.

Not only did the boys get the opportunity to present their views and ideas and do a project on their own, but also learnt to interact in a formal atmosphere, adjusting to different peoples’ needs, overcoming language barrier and overall developing lots of confidence.

Equal Community Foundation is seeking a creative, experienced and enterprising research associate to assist in its Research and Development programme. The Research Associate will be required to constantly ideate, innovate and execute strategies within the scope of the programme with the support from the Programme Manager.